Holdman Wants To Earn His Spot

Despite Redskins assistant head coach Gregg Williams saying Holdman has the edge in what's sure to become a heated competition for the start at weak-side linebacker, Holdman says he won't enter training camp with an it's-my-job-to-lose mindset.

Embedded in competition for the starting job with Rocky McIntosh, Chris Clemons and Robert McCune, Holdman impressed Washington's coaches during the offseason with improved physical conditioning after frustrating the club last season because he was out of shape.

"I owe the Redskins from last season," he said

Holdman, entering his eighth season, signed last spring with the club weighing a little more than 240 pounds. He's now down to 233.

"I had been in free agency, going on trips, eating steak and wining and dining," Holdman said.

"It makes you feel more comfortable when you know you're in shape.

WHITE ON WHITE

Washington wore white jerseys and white pants in a 24-9 win over the St. Louis Rams last season that snapped a three-game skid while starting a six-game winning streak in the same uniforms.

Will the Redskins start the 2006 season wearing white on white?

"We'll probably start off where we left off," Washington coach Joe Gibbs said. "Things that we can do like that, I'm willing to go with."

Gibbs says he leaves uniform choices up to the players. Given the superstitious nature of athletes, more than likely, fans can count on seeing Washington in all white for it's Sept. 11 season opener at home against Minnesota.

FENNER WATCH

Derrick Fenner, a rookie free agent and former Hampton High standout, suffered a left quadriceps injury during the last 30 minutes of practice and was taken off the field by Redskins director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer.